Former Detroit Piston Ronald “Flip” Murray received a delayed sentence of 11 months in jail on a charge of desertion and abandonment on Tuesday.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Colleen O’Brien handed down the sentence, which will only go into effect if Murray fails to pay the $53,053 in child support that he owes to a Pontiac woman.

Murray, who recently signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and will be allowed to travel for work, will be able to make the payment upon receipt of his first paycheck next month, according to his attorney, Jeffrey Schwartz.

Kujuanna Ray, the mother of Murray’s two sons, addressed the court prior to sentencing.

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“I just want him to help,” Ray said.“At the least, we were friends. I’ve been disappointed in how he’s handled this situation.”

Ray pointed out that Murray is also the father of two daughters.

“He knows what it takes,” she said.“I’m a first-time mother. He should understand as a father what it takes to raise one child, let alone two.”

Ray said she has been “very informative” to Murray about their children.

“He’s had every opportunity to be involved in their lives,” she said.“He knew from the moment I knew. I feel it’s very important for him to be in their lives and help raise them.”

Ray said she wakes up at 3 a.m. each morning in order to drop the children off at daycare by 5 a.m. She then works until 5 p.m., six days a week.

Murray, who did not address the court, must also pay fees and costs of more than $1,000. He must appear in court monthly until the past due child support payments are made.

A Piston for two seasons, Murray has played for six NBA teams since entering the league in 2002, averaging 9.9 points per game.

Contact Dave Phillips at 248-745-4631 or dave.phillips@oakpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @dave_phillips1.